Bakelite?

Bought this for $8 figured it was worth a shot. Someone told me to wipe it with scrubbing bubbles so I tried a small area and my cotton ball turned yellow. Didn’t want to keep running and risk ruining it. I really was very hesitant to put any kind of chemical on it but what does this mean?? It has a reddish brown patina

 

The cameo itself may be Celluloid or similar & the frame around it Bakelite or another hard plastic. Where did you apply the cleanser that the cotton came away yellow? It looks to me like the cameo now has a combination of dirt along with pigment that was deliberately applied to the surface for contrast. Both are likely to be water soluble. Be very careful what you apply where. I would not try to clean it. The Bakelite fans will be along.

 

Ok well I’d love to know if it really is Bakelite so I know how much to sell it for . Or I may just keep it

 

I swiped it along the sides as far from the front as possible

what about this one ? Looks a little too white and clean to me. But you’re the expert bronwen

 

Looks like it is by the same manufacturer, just cleaner.

 

I normally use the sniff test. Bakelite has a medicinal smell (like a bandage/Bandaid brand smell) when you wet with warm water and gently rub it. But in your case, I don't think I'd run water over it based on Bronwen's admonishment.

 

LOL! Have not smelled that "Bandaid" smell for many years, but remember it VERY well!

 

What AJ said. In both cases I suspect we're looking at 2 different types of plastic.

Tough right now to set a fixed price on any cameo of any type. Do you sell in a venue where auction is not an option?

 

Yes. Ebay banned me for not paying fir a auction item I won fast enough . But I’m going to make a new account so I’ll be up and at it again soon